Like any source of power, EV batteries wear out and need replacing. The current predictions is that an electric car battery will last from 10 – 20 years before they need replacements.
Battery electric vehicles use electricity stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor and turn the wheels. When drained, the batteries are rechargeable using grid electricity, either from a wall socket or a dedicated charging unit. Other than electric vehicles, these batteries power:
- Solar power storage
- Emergency power backups (UPS)
- Power tools
Firstly, enabling transportation has become a norm for those seeking efficiency and a solution to the ongoing environmental crisis caused by traffic congestion. In 2017, the global sales of electric vehicles exceeded 1 million units. When these batteries reach the end of their lifespan, consumers must consider recycling.
Proper disposal is essential for the removal of EV batteries to prevent adverse environmental impacts. This is where EV battery recycling organizations step in to provide assistance. It is crucial to understand the EV battery recycling process.
To get the precious reusable materials EV batteries include, there are several steps to follow:
- First, recycling companies purchase or sell scrap EV batteries. By doing this, these recycling companies get cobalt, nickel and copper.
- Then, deactivate the batteries. This must occur before the procedure starts.
- After this, the EV batteries are put in a specialized room. Thus, the room is oxygen-free.
- Subsequently, the process of extracting metals from their ores ( hydrometallurgy ) occurs.
- Next, the process of using aqueous solutions to extract metal from other metal bearing materials (leaching) occurs.
- Furthermore, organize the battery components into three different categories. These categories are cobalt, steel and aluminum, copper, and plastic.
- Finally, companies sell the recycled materials.
